The Great American Milk Drive Returns to Sioux Falls

The Great American Milk Drive Returns to Sioux Falls

Land O Lakes/Dean Foods, MilkPEP, Hy-Vee, Avera, KBAD Radio, Jim and Megan Jarding Bring Back the Great American Milk Drive

Sioux Falls, SD (September 1, 2017) – Today, Land O Lakes/Dean Foods, MilkPEP and Hy-Vee along with KBAD radio, Avera and Jim and Megan Jarding announce their commitment to deliver much-needed milk to Feeding South Dakota’s Food Pantry by partnering together for The Great American Milk Drive.

Originally created as a partnership between Feeding America, MilkPEP and the National Dairy Council, the national campaign unites and enables the nation’s food banks, processors, retailers and consumers to ensure milk and its essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, are provided to families who need it most.

Dean Foods first brought The Great American Milk Drive to Sioux Falls last September with the help of MilkPEP, Hy-Vee and KBAD radio. With the help of South Dakota residents, this milk drive produced 10,300 gallons of milk which were delivered to the food pantry on a weekly basis at 240 gallons per week. With the food pantry seeing on average 100 families per day, the milk did not stay in the cooler for long.

“The reality is that one in every eight people in South Dakota are at risk of going hungry,” said Matt Gassen, CEO, Feeding South Dakota. “We are so incredibly grateful to all of these community partners for their kindness and generosity to lend another helping hand by sponsoring this milk drive.”

Between September 1 and September 30, each of the seven Sioux Falls Hy-Vee stores will offer customers the opportunity to donate either a half gallon or gallon of Land O Lakes Dairy Pure milk at the registers.

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About Feeding South Dakota

Feeding South Dakota, whose mission is to eliminate hunger in South Dakota, is the state’s largest charitable hunger relief organization. In FY17, Feeding South Dakota secured and distributed 13.6 million pounds of quality nutritious donated and purchased food providing 11.3 million meals to more than 190,000 individuals in need. Feeding South Dakota is able to distribute this food from our distribution centers in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City through its network of over 400 charitable organizations, supporting over 555 partner agency programs across the state. These organizations then provide this food to individuals who are “food insecure” through youth programs, senior centers, on-site feeding programs, emergency food pantries, after school programs, and homeless shelters. For more information on Feeding South Dakota, please visit www.feedingsouthdakota.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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Testimonials

My wife is working full-time and is going to school to earn her bachelor's degree in social work. A few months ago I quit my full-time job of eight years to take on a very part-time low-paying job so I could watch my kids while my wife is at work and at school. We do the best we can to keep up with life and the BackPack is immensely helpful.

Parent, BackPack Recipient

Making sure we eat healthy food is my biggest challenge. I really appreciate the produce we get here.

Judy, Partner Agency Guest

I just moved back to Sioux Falls with little money. Our car was stolen then trashed. We've been living in hotels and staying with friends. EBT only goes so far between all of us. These BackPacks have helped tremendously with our food situation. Thank you very much!

Parent, BackPack Recipient

We have a big family to feed. Besides our two children, I also have custody of my younger brother and sister. It means a lot to us to get a basket of food when we come here.

Adriana, Pantry Guest

I am a 27-year-old single mother of one girl. I am a full-time worker but I still struggle financially at times. I don't receive child support at all due to the father being incarcerated. This is the third year we've received a food bag and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Parent, BackPack Recipient

I was living in my car when a police officer told me about Bishop Dudley House. Today, I don't take the fact that I have a warm place to sleep and a meal for granted.

Alfredo, Partner Agency Guest

We are a family of five living on a single income. We get some assistance from DSS, but it is not enough to feed our family for the whole month. The Food bags the kids bring home each Friday are an enormous help. These bags ensure the kids have enough to eat each week. It would be very difficult to stretch our food budget without the help of these food bags.

Parent, BackPack Recipient

I have a job as a supervisor at a fast food restaurant. Right now I'm on maternity leave, so I don't have a paycheck coming in. We're trying to get through a bad time financially and do get help with food stamps, but it's not enough to get us through. During times when food gets low, it means a lot to be able to come here and get food. Thank you!

Sage, Pantry Guest

A few days ago my mom came to the food pantry and volunteered. I was running low on food and she told me I should come down here and check it out. I was surprised by how much food I got! This place is awesome!

Brianna, Pantry Guest

I make too much to get food stamps, so when things get tight, I can come to the food pantry. The groceries I get there usually last about a week and help me get by.

Barb, Pantry Guest

It felt so good to go home with a basket of food and know my kids were happy. As a mother, that's all you care about. When you see your kids tearing through food you bring home, that's satisfaction.